If Jojo was a bit older, or a bit stronger, I’d be having to buy a new computer.
He was upset because I wouldn’t let him on my expensive work computer and I put it away.
I tried to put some of his favorite videos on the old computer, but it quickly escalated into a meltdown.
He took the mouse and threw it at the iMac screen. The mouse busted but thankfully the screen withstood. I think the mouse is salvageable.
Then he took the keyboard and threw it at a glass light fixture on the ceiling, which also fortunately withstood.
He tried to get to the main part of the computer but I blocked him from doing so.
The meltdown lasted about 20 minutes total before someone knocked on the door and rang the doorbell (UPS), which piqued his curiosity enough that his fixation with the computer was interrupted and he was able to calm himself down enough to be redirected.
It’s hard to find the good in these situations, but if you look hard enough, they are there.
- It only lasted 20 minutes. It could have been longer.
- Nothing is actually broken this time…
- He didn’t slap me and caught himself when he was going to.
- He was able to use his words between sobs to let me know some simple things he wanted me to do while I was blocking him from destroying the computer. “Daddy move…Daddy up…” which, even though meant he would have access to the computer, I still honored.
- He was able to regulate himself and even redirected himself when the meltdown was subsiding… (asked to play with water)…
Still victories to me.